2010 535i vs 2009 550i

I'm looking at getting an E60, but I'm on the fence between the '10 535i M Sport and the '09 550i Sport.

I know the 535 is better on gas, but I adore the looks and options that come on the 550 (not to mention the power).

I'm curious to know what advice the members here have for me. I'd like to get pros and cons for both cars.

Thanks!

.

There is a lot thread about, and we don't want start another 10,000 replay which auto better 550 or 535.

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...ght=535+vs+550

it is, 550

Originally Posted by phlfly

There is a lot thread about, and we don't want start another 10,000 replay which auto better 550 or 535.

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...ght=535+vs+550

So true. My 2 cents, 2010 535i M sport would be my choice.

My .02 cents also. Last year I was looking at a 2010 535i and the service manager that I have been working with a long time, told me something about the turbos in the 2010 year. He said that there is a small turbine that is attached to a large turbine. And that the small one spins up first to bring the second one up to speed, so accroding to him the turbo lag is minimized.

Good luck in your decision.

John

At first it was called sequential turbos.Toyota actually did this on the 93 Supras.The turbos are not different sizes but two small rather than one big.Single on low rpm for quick spool ,together higher rpm more boost.An amazing feat in 1993 with the advancement of processors at the time.Fuel map would have been impossible only a few years before.I used to be a Supra nut with a 1000hp 94,now kids and back to the 5.Amazed at how BMW so dead set against forced induction at one time ,now wishing I had a 535i.V8 is still great.

a 2010 535i (without m-sport) vs 2009 550i with m-sport is a toss up, the other way around no contest.

FYI, as the final verdict, the N54 engine is rumored to be the platform for the new M3 (inline six with 3 turbos instead of two), BMW only install N54 on over 60k-cars since 2010 (Z4 35i and 335is) that tell you how exclusive this engine has become. The valve seal problem on 550i engine makes the HPFP problem on N54 a child's play.

Originally Posted by HPIA4v2

The valve seal problem on 550i engine makes the HPFP problem on N54 a child's play.

What valve seal problem? I haven't heard of any issues on the 4.8 engine, but for sure on the 4.4. Then again, I would think any engine would have problems in the long run with 15k oil change intervals long term. If the Op plans in keeping the car long term, 550i for sure. If he plans on trading within a couple years, 535i (potential turbo, wastegate, injector, fuel pump issues, carbon buildup, etc FAR outweigh the issues with a 550i)

Originally Posted by HPIA4v2

a 2010 535i (without m-sport) vs 2009 550i with m-sport is a toss up, the other way around no contest.

FYI, as the final verdict, the N54 engine is rumored to be the platform for the new M3 (inline six with 3 turbos instead of two), BMW only install N54 on over 60k-cars since 2010 (Z4 35i and 335is) that tell you how exclusive this engine has become. The valve seal problem on 550i engine makes the HPFP problem on N54 a child's play.

There is not a big problem with valve seals on 4.8L engine it's most on 4.4L engine due I guess the engine is running hotter because it doesn't have oil cooler as 4.8L engine.
You have to do more research before confusing people on forum.
Also remember carbon problem on N54 (because of turbo, that leads higher oil consumption), water pump (it's not last long and expensive to replace) and famous valve noise on morning start ups.

OP- I would just like to note the 2010's ditched the horrendous DVD-based nav for the hard drive-based unit. It's much better and comes with a high-def screen. That alone would sway me. Whether that's sad or not is your choice your judgment call.

Contrary to what I wrote earlier, I did a quick search and there WERE some issues with 4.8L cars over 100K miles (nearly all were 7 series, coincidentally) that were experiencing oil burning. However, the common theme among all of them were 15K mile oil changes up to that point. It also looks like BMW skimped on the quality of the valve seals, so short oil change intervals are a must...

Originally Posted by dolfan13

At first it was called sequential turbos.Toyota actually did this on the 93 Supras.The turbos are not different sizes but two small rather than one big.Single on low rpm for quick spool ,together higher rpm more boost.An amazing feat in 1993 with the advancement of processors at the time.Fuel map would have been impossible only a few years before.I used to be a Supra nut with a 1000hp 94,now kids and back to the 5.Amazed at how BMW so dead set against forced induction at one time ,now wishing I had a 535i.V8 is still great.

Damn reading this brought back memories of when I was at a JC and all of us hanging out in the parking lot with our tuned surpa's, celica's and integra's.

Thanks for the insight. This will be a long term car (I hope), so reliability is a must (the practical part of my brain is screaming loaded, late model TL for the same money).

I do really like the 550's look best of all. Keeping with the 5's, my practical side is intrigued by being able to get nearly the same performance and looks while getting a year newer car for the same coin. I have been put off by the HPFP problems that prevented me from buying a 335 a few years back. I do really like the sound and feel of that V8, though.

Acroduster- Did you drive the 550 and 535?

Please feel the drive at least for 3-4 miles and then decide...

Jut to give you my views, i drove both and i felt the 550 is good in looks and is a bit heavy... I never felt the 550 was quick unless until you push the accelerator, but 535i you don't need to push it just kicks off...

I finally decided to get the 535i and i will get the cobb in a week or two to kick any 550's around

Agree with above statement, I had 535 for almost 2 weeks, as loaner. It was 2009 535i, and it's feels lighter but there is no upper torque, it's like feel car doesn't go faster after passing 4,000 rmp, when 550 is just going crazy fast. At lower rmp, 550 doesn't feels as fast car, I would say 550 is more balance for everyday driving, because it controls better in the heavy traffic then 535, the 535 is trying jump fast, so I have adjusted my driving for couple days, before got used to keep a little more distance between cars.

Originally Posted by phlfly

There is not a big problem with valve seals on 4.8L engine it's most on 4.4L engine due I guess the engine is running hotter because it doesn't have oil cooler as 4.8L engine.
You have to do more research before confusing people on forum.
Also remember carbon problem on N54 (because of turbo, that leads higher oil consumption), water pump (it's not last long and expensive to replace) and famous valve noise on morning start ups.

Both cars require maintenance, and with age certain common issues need to be addressed. I don't think you can separate the models and say one is worse than the other, they are fairly identical except for the engine design.
The HPFP issue is long since solved, all older 535s have received new ones, if not BMW will do it at no charge, no questions. This was done on both my 2008 cars, injectors too. No issue at all, no valve noise, nothing.
I had the intake valves cleaned at 73,000 miles. Cost me $320 at an indie who had the tools. I'll probably do it again after 40,000 miles, which is 4 years out.

The 550i Sport looks much better with the M-tech body kit and M172 19" spider rims. The 2010 535 Sport has that body kit standard and similar wheels, though 18s. You can buy it aftermarket and have it installed.

As for driving experience, the 535 is lighter and nimbler mainly because the smaller N54 aluminum engine weighs a couple hundred pounds less. That translates into weight saving up front.
The twin turbo design generates prodigious low and mid range torque. It gets power from boost pressure whereas the normally aspirated 550 V8 relies on revs, relatively speaking. The V8 has 20% more power, but it needs to hit 4-6,000 rpms in order to generate it. This is a big difference in driving experience. The 535 just takes off with minimal involvement, whereas the 550 is more of an old school driving experience, call it soulful, where you feel and hear the engine more. The 550 is more seductive, especially with a manual transmission which would be my choice. Whereas the 535 does more with less, it just does everything competently without seeming to work for it. It's completely drama free.
In any case you can't go wrong with either car, it's a matter of personal preference.

All this is relating to bone stock cars, right off the dealer lot. A tuned 535 is a whole different animal, just forget all these comments except for the weight difference.
It still doesn't have that deep V8 rumble though, something to be said for that.

Agree oceans, my point was simple... People who just love V8 only go for 550... If someone loves driving cars w.r.t sportier/lighter.. Then 535i is the choice.

Well if sound is the choice then there are many other cars around that sounds crazy.... I am just saying this twin power turbo is simply to admire and cherish,

But again it's people to people choice...

But to all I can add one more thing, we don't really know BMW turbo reliability, as it new thing to BMW, Audi was using turbo since 70's and still have problem due bad lubrication, but BMW has two turbos and 15,000 miles oil changes, it's got be not so good for turbo.
Just my 2 cents

Any serious 535 owner will change oil every 7,500 miles.
With my previous E39 540i Sport I did it every 5,000 miles. Always Mobil One synthetic.

Originally Posted by Oceans10

Any serious 535 owner will change oil every 7,500 miles.
With my previous E39 540i Sport I did it every 5,000 miles. Always Mobil One synthetic.

It's correct and fine when you are buying a brand new car, but used with 60,000+ miles, there is no guarantee oil was changed every 5,000-7,000 miles.

I agree wholeheartedly with phlfly - with "free" maintenance for the first 4 years and 50,000 miles, how many folks selling their used 535i's at the end of that time will have changed the oil more often than BMW would change it for them? My budget doesn't allow me to buy new (I'm looking at 40k to 50k mileage cars), so this is a big concern of mine.

I would think it would be worse if I bought the 535 than the 550 from that point of view - what do you think?

I can't give you advice on this it's your preference, because 1. both cars have problems, but a lot problems same kind (diff - 535- carbon, water pump, valve gasket, may be HPFP pump and fuel rail, 550- engine gaskets, cooling return pipe (but those has very little rate compare to 545), same- Idive, water in the trunk, gear selector, comfort access, battery problems, tight support for seat, gear box leaking, suspension components wear, sunroof gasket, active stabilizer...). btw, active stabilizer is important to check yourself for leakage, just crawl under the car for rear and look down between engine and fan for front, and make sure there no wet near and around cylinder.Item 1 same thing for rear

2. Nobody knows turbo reliability, as this model is still relative new (since 2008), 3. price tag vs options, I explain, the 550 more likely will have sport pckg, and 535 is not necessary. Of course if you want to have a sport pckg.
I wanted 550, because 535 were a little too pricy for me 1.5 years ago and 550 has sport pckg, most cases. I like car is looking, it sits lower, and amazing performance on curve road.

I would not buy a used leased return or any used turbo bmw. @15k free maint miles its a sludge factory. Turbo bearing is likely coked. Used to own a 240sx RB swap back in the days and after 4k miles the oil gets pretty dark with royal purple syn. Even 15k miles on my non turbo v8 looks disgusting.

Like other have said, the 535 torque curve would hit max at 4k rpm and would flat out. Its tuned more to be a city stop light to stop light. Well if you are tuning it then its a different story.

Originally Posted by v8power

I would not buy a used leased return or any used turbo bmw. @15k free maint miles its a sludge factory. Turbo bearing is likely coked. Used to own a 240sx RB swap back in the days and after 4k miles the oil gets pretty dark with royal purple syn. Even 15k miles on my non turbo v8 looks disgusting.

Like other have said, the 535 torque curve would hit max at 4k rpm and would flat out. Its tuned more to be a city stop light to stop light. Well if you are tuning it then its a different story.

Meh. There's been plenty of early model 2007 335i's running around without sludge or coked bearings and they're well over 100k. Turbo tech has improved. Now, if you want to talk about wastegate rattle or carbon buildup, then you have a point.